Madhya Pradesh Gets Record Railway Allocation as Centre Pushes Port Connectivity and Freight Corridors

Addressing a press conference, Vaishnaw said the enhanced funding reflects close coordination between the Centre and the Madhya Pradesh government to fast-track projects and ensure timely execution. He added that the focus is on strengthening both passenger connectivity and freight logistics to support the state’s industrial growth.

According to the Railway Ministry, railway projects worth approximately ₹1.18 lakh crore are currently underway across Madhya Pradesh. These include construction of new railway lines, doubling and tripling of existing tracks, station redevelopment projects, and upgrades aimed at improving freight handling capacity. Vaishnaw also confirmed that the state has achieved 100 per cent railway electrification, a milestone expected to lower operating costs, improve energy efficiency, and enhance train speeds and punctuality.

Several long-pending projects have moved forward following recent clearances. Among them is the Indore–Manmad rail line, which had remained stalled for years due to procedural and environmental hurdles. The minister said work on approved projects is progressing rapidly, with priority being given to routes that connect industrial clusters and mineral-rich regions.

A key component of the Centre’s strategy is the proposed East–West Dedicated Freight Corridor, which is expected to significantly reshape freight movement across central India. The corridor will run from West Bengal through Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, before terminating in Gujarat. Designed exclusively for cargo traffic, the corridor will carry containers, bulk goods and industrial freight on separate tracks, reducing congestion on passenger routes and cutting logistics costs.

In parallel, an economic corridor within Madhya Pradesh is planned to directly link the state with major ports along the western coast of Gujarat and Maharashtra. This connectivity is expected to boost exports, improve access to global markets and attract fresh industrial investment.

Vaishnaw said the East–West Freight Corridor will connect with the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor near Surat. The Western Corridor links Ludhiana with the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) near Mumbai, enabling seamless freight movement toward northern, eastern, central and southern India.

Officials believe the combined impact of higher budgetary support, freight corridors and port connectivity could significantly transform Madhya Pradesh’s logistics landscape and position the state as a key hub in India’s expanding rail-based freight network.